Imsai Arasan 23m Pulikesi Full Story Explained (2006)
Imagine a king who is so foolish that he uses his own guards as target practice. That is Pulikesi XXIII, the ruler of Cholapuram Paalayam in 1771. But here is the twist: he has a long-lost twin brother named Ukraputhan, who is smart, brave, and wants to save their kingdom from the British. This 2006 Tamil historical comedy stars Vadivelu in both roles, making it his first film as a solo lead. Directed by Chimbu Deven and produced by S. Shankar, the movie mixes laugh-out-loud moments with a serious message about freedom. It became a huge hit, winning awards and making Vadivelu a household name. If you want a film that makes you laugh and think at the same time, this is it.
A King Who Shoots His Own Men
Pulikesi XXIII is not your typical king. He is lazy, greedy, and loves to torture his subjects. One day, he orders his palace guards to stand in a line so he can use them for shooting practice. The guards are terrified, but they cannot refuse their king. This is the world of Cholapuram Paalayam, where the ruler is a joke and the real power lies with his evil uncle.
Full Plot
In the year 1771, the kingdom of Cholapuram Paalayam is in trouble. King Mokkaiyappar and Queen Bhavani have lost twenty-two children at birth. The real culprit is Bhavani's brother, Sangilimayan, who killed each child to keep his own power. When the queen gives birth to twins, Sangilimayan is shocked. The palace astrologer predicts that the elder twin will be foolish and the younger one will be smart. Sangilimayan orders the doctor to kill the younger baby. But the doctor cannot do it. He leaves the baby in a river, hoping someone will find him. A childless woman named Maragathavalli rescues the baby and raises him as her own son, naming him Ukraputhan.
Twenty-five years pass. The elder twin, Pulikesi XXIII, is now the king. As predicted, he is completely foolish and lazy. He spends his time torturing his guards and chasing women. His uncle Sangilimayan is the real ruler, and he works with the British to make money. The people are suffering. Meanwhile, Ukraputhan grows up to be an educated and brave young man. He becomes a revolutionary, planning to overthrow the British. He falls in love with Vasantha Sundari, a kind woman who supports his mission.
Ukraputhan and his friends plan to attack the palace and remove the king. But when Ukraputhan sees Pulikesi for the first time, he is shocked. They look exactly alike. Ukraputhan learns from his foster parents that he was adopted and that Pulikesi is his twin brother. He decides to switch places with the unconscious king. Ukraputhan becomes the new king, and Pulikesi is sent to prison.
As the fake king, Ukraputhan starts making big changes. He turns the palace harem into a playground for children. He builds schools and farms. He refuses to pay taxes to the British. The people love him. In prison, Pulikesi is cared for by a woman named Soolayini. They fall in love. Pulikesi escapes and learns the truth about his birth. He feels guilty and wants to help his brother.
Sangilimayan returns from a business trip and discovers the switch. He arrests Ukraputhan and the commander, Agandamuthu. Pulikesi tries to help but is caught when his minister recognizes his catchphrase. In the final fight, the brothers work together. Ukraputhan is about to kill Sangilimayan, but Queen Bhavani stops him. She forgives her brother, and Sangilimayan finally feels sorry for his actions. The kingdom becomes free from British rule. Pulikesi marries Soolayini, and Ukraputhan marries Vasantha Sundari. Pulikesi announces ten new laws to help the people, and the kingdom lives happily ever after.
Characters
Pulikesi XXIII
Pulikesi is the foolish king of Cholapuram Paalayam. He is lazy, greedy, and loves to torture his subjects. He is a puppet controlled by his uncle Sangilimayan. After learning the truth about his birth and switching places with his twin brother, he realizes his mistakes. He helps Ukraputhan defeat Sangilimayan and becomes a better ruler.
Ukraputhan
Ukraputhan is the smart twin brother of Pulikesi. He was abandoned at birth and raised by foster parents. He becomes a revolutionary who wants to free his kingdom from the British. He switches places with his brother and introduces many reforms. He marries Vasantha Sundari and helps bring peace to the kingdom.
Sangilimayan
Sangilimayan is the queen's brother and the real power behind the throne. He killed all of Pulikesi's older siblings to keep control. He works with the British for personal gain. He tries to kill Ukraputhan but fails. In the end, he feels guilty, apologizes to his sister, and changes his ways.
Vasantha Sundari
Vasantha Sundari is the love interest of Ukraputhan. She is kind and supports his mission to free the kingdom. She falls in love with him and marries him at the end of the film.
Soolayini
Soolayini is a kind woman who takes care of the soldiers in the prison. She meets Pulikesi when he is in jail and falls in love with him. She helps him escape and marries him at the end.
Queen Bhavani Ammaiyar
Queen Bhavani is the mother of the twins. She is unaware that her brother Sangilimayan killed her other children. She supports Ukraputhan's reforms without knowing he is not the real king. In the end, she forgives her brother and helps bring peace to the family.
Themes
Good vs Evil
The film clearly shows the battle between good and evil. Ukraputhan represents goodness, kindness, and intelligence. Sangilimayan represents greed, cruelty, and betrayal. The story shows that good eventually wins, but only after a hard fight.
Freedom and Independence
The kingdom is under British control, and the people are suffering. Ukraputhan fights to free his land from foreign rule. The film shows that true freedom comes when people stand up against oppression. The British are shown as greedy and cruel.
Family and Forgiveness
The twins are separated at birth but eventually reunite. Queen Bhavani forgives her brother Sangilimayan even after he caused so much pain. The film shows that family bonds can heal even the deepest wounds.
Power and Responsibility
Pulikesi abuses his power as king, using it to harm people. Ukraputhan uses his power to help people. The film teaches that power must be used responsibly. A good leader thinks about the people, not just himself.
Ending Explained
The film ends with a big fight between the twins and Sangilimayan. Ukraputhan is about to kill Sangilimayan when Queen Bhavani steps in. She tells her brother that she forgives him for all the terrible things he did. Sangilimayan breaks down and apologizes. He realizes that his greed destroyed his family. The queen forgives him, and he changes his ways. With Sangilimayan no longer a threat, the kingdom becomes free from British rule. The British officers leave, and the people celebrate. Pulikesi marries Soolayini, the woman who cared for him in prison. Ukraputhan marries Vasantha Sundari, his true love. The film ends with Pulikesi announcing ten new laws to help the people. These laws include free education, fair taxes, and better treatment for everyone. The message is clear: even a foolish person can learn to be good if they have love and guidance. The kingdom lives happily ever after, and the twins finally have the family they always deserved.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is not a true story. The film is a fictional historical comedy set in the late 18th century. It uses real historical elements like the British Raj and the name Pulikesi, but the characters and events are made up.
Vadivelu played both roles: King Pulikesi XXIII and his twin brother Ukraputhan. This was his first film as a solo lead actor. He used different mannerisms and voices to make the two characters feel different.
The film was banned in Karnataka because the name Pulikesi is associated with a famous king from Karnataka's history, Pulakesi II. The Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce felt the film was making fun of a respected historical figure.
'Imsai Arasan' translates to 'King of Nuisance' or 'King of Trouble' in Tamil. It refers to the foolish and troublesome nature of King Pulikesi XXIII.
Yes, the film won two Tamil Nadu State Film Awards. Vadivelu won Best Comedian, and P. Krishnamoorthy won Best Art Director. Vadivelu also won the Filmfare Award for Best Comedian for his performance.